Clear out the dead wood As many as fourteen players could leave Manchester United this summer, but the reality is that the necessity of having a competitive 25-man squad ensures that the cull will be on a smaller scale.

ButLouis van Gaalmust decide where to swing the axe, with Nemanja Vidic already committed to leaving and Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra also set to leave.

There are also a series of fringe players such as Alex Buttner, Bebe and Federico Macheda who could be cleared off the wage bill.

Van Gaal’s tough decisions will be whether to get rid of the likes of Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley, Nani and Ashley Young, and whether Javier Hernández merits another chance.

Injuries, loss of form and managerial decisions have contributed to this, but while Van Persie overshadowed Rooney last season with the goals which delivered the title, it has been a different story this season.

Under Moyes, Rooney returned to centre stage and was handed a new contract while Van Persie struggled for form and fitness.

How will Van Gaal deal with the two of them? He is close to Van Persie, his national team captain, so he may have to appeal to Rooney to get him on side.

Starting the job in California United are due to fly to Los Angeles for a pre-season training camp on July 16, so Van Gaal could be forced to go from Rio to California without so much as a summer break.

He will find a squad without key players due to post-World Cup rest time and potentially have only 10-12 players to work with.

United are due to remain in the States, playing five games, until August 3, so when will Van Gaal get the chance to lay down roots in Manchester or even speak to staff at Carrington?